2001 Shiraz

Hand picked on 28th March 2001, at 1.6 tonne/acre, off the vineyard’s “Ironstone Block”, the grapes were fermented and hand plunged in small open fermenters for 8 days. “Balthazar the First” then spent 22 months in 50% French and 50% American oak, being occasionally racked to soften the fruit tannins and add complexity prior to being bottled on 4th March 2003 and released June 2003.

Colour: Opaque,black purple colour
Nose: Aoma of violets,spice,blackberry and blackpepper followed by end notes of earth and confectionary.
Palate: Very spict with white pepper, black pepper and plum flavours emerging. Fine grained tannins followed by a very long aftertaste of plum, blackpepper and spice.
Vital Statistics: pH:3.38 | Acid:7.01 g/L | Alcohol: 14.4%

“Ripe and rich, a lush mouthful of blackberry,blueberry,pepper and licorice flavors that linger on the firm finish. Best from 2005 through 2010. 700 cases made." Rating 90/100 - Wine Spectator US- 15 December 2003- Harvey Steiman.